Out at the Fair (OATF), a family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQ+ community – is set to return to the California State Fair (CSF), and scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 29, 2018, at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California, in partnership with the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.

Originally launched at the San Diego County Fair (SDCF) in 2013 as an “Unofficial Gay Day at the Fair,” OATF became an official Fair event in 2014 and renamed “Out at the Fair.” Through the years, it has garnered many Fair industry awards, including the prestigious Barham Award, bestowed by the Western Fairs Association in 2018.

After five years of increased success, OATF made the jump to the State capital in 2017, as part of an expansion plan that intends to spread a message of diversity and inclusiveness to Fairs nationwide and abroad. The event went back to its roots by starting as an “unofficial” event, and inviting the community to attend the Fair on the day that Melissa Etheridge performed at the Fair. Droves of excited LGBTQ+ folks came out on a hot Sunday for a day of fun and celebration at the CSF. A group photo at the iconic golden bears drew more than 100 guests, representing only a tiny fraction of the hundreds of LGBTQ+ folks that came for OATF. As a result, Fair officials decided to bring back OATF as an official Fair event.

This year’s activities start with a $12 buffet lunch at 1 p.m. as part of Out at the Races® in the Turf Club, another signature event from the OATF group. The Turf Club is located at the south end of the Grandstand, and combines the excitement of live racing with the intimacy of an upscale restaurant, in air-conditioned comfort. Buffet ticket includes Buffet Spread and photo with the winning jockey in the Winner's Circle. A cash bar will be available, as well as a “Learn How to Wager” training session. Reservations are recommended, and are available through Eventbrite. (Limited to the first 200 guests. General Fair admission ticket required. Buffet sold at the door in the Turf Club, 1 - 4 p.m.​

Check out the official Out at the Fair® merchandise booth, grab a FREE rainbow flag, and meet local LGBTQ+ non-profit booths on the main gate ramp. Come out and show your smiling faces, as the 2nd annual group photo is back at 6 p.m. between the Golden Bears at the main entrance of the Fair. Then head to the Bungee Jump, where local Diva Mercury Rising will be getting ready to drop at 6:30 p.m., during Sacramento’s first-ever Diva DROP, hosted by Rubix Q.. Don’t miss the last concert of the summer at the Fair, starting at 7 p.m., FREE with Fair admission. Out at the Fair® will have a special section of free reserved seats during the UB40 concert at 8 p.m., which sold out 90 minutes after going live online. General admission tickets to the Fair are available online at castatefair.org/tickets18 , and $1 from every ticket sale will be donated to the The Sacramento LGBT Community Center, by using the promo code OUTATTHEFAIR.

While enjoying a full day of family-friendly fun, guests are encouraged to use the official #OATF18 Snapchat filter and hashtagging OATF on social media using #OATF, #OutattheFair, and #OATF18. Three 21+ After Parties are scheduled at Badlands, Sidetrax, and The Depot nightclubs.